Build an Industrial Strength Hotbed for the Garden

1 / 11
2 / 11
3 / 11
LAYOUT LINES LEVEL TOPS OF STAKES AT CORNERS OF TRENCH
LAYOUT LINES LEVEL TOPS OF STAKES AT CORNERS OF TRENCH
4 / 11
BUILDING THE FRAME
BUILDING THE FRAME
5 / 11
ADDING FRAME BASE AND ANCHOR BOLTS
ADDING FRAME BASE AND ANCHOR BOLTS
6 / 11
TRENCH WITH CONCRETE POURED TO TOP OF STAKES
TRENCH WITH CONCRETE POURED TO TOP OF STAKES
7 / 11
8 / 11
GLAZING FRAME
GLAZING FRAME
9 / 11
FINISHING FRAME AND LID
FINISHING FRAME AND LID
10 / 11
11 / 11
CONCRETE FLOOR AND SUMP DRAIN
CONCRETE FLOOR AND SUMP DRAIN

A step-by-step guide to build our 100 year industrial strength hotbed for your garden.

Here are plans for an industrial-strength hotbed that you can put to use eight months a year or more in most climate zones. It features nearly 18 square feet of protected planting area and a foundation built of lightweight, concrete partition blocks that’s worthy of a house

This hotbed is rugged enough to last for many years, while withstanding the worst weather that nature can muster. To good to be true? Hardly. The best part is that it’s easy to build, and you can do it in a weekend.

A hotbed allows you to jump-start your garden several weeks early in the spring. In passive mode, it collects and concentrates the sun’s heat in a small, confined area — perfect for starting or hardening off seedlings and young plants. It will also protect late plantings of hardy varieties well into the fall. In active mode, when artificially heated the old-time way by a layer of fresh, “hot” livestock manure under the planting medium or else with modern electric heating cables, it can add weeks more onto both ends of the growing season.

1. Hotbed Layout

  • Published on Feb 1, 2000
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368